Harvey HW110LGE-30

[Binary01]

one thing to note is that it is now very hard work raising and lowering the blade. Not sure why. Maybe I need to clean something

Not sure if this is helpful to others, but I had the same problem about 6 months ago. In fact it eventually became so tight that it effectively seized (in a low position unfortunately). I cleaned and greased, with no improvement. I called Get Woodworking where I purchased and he hadn't experienced or heard of any similar problems. Eventually I removed the top to get a good look at everything and found that a collar/bush on the that turns the rise/fall worm gear shaft had slipped and allowed the shaft to move back, pushing hard against the back of the saw cabinet. I spaced the end of the shaft off the cabinet, loosened the grub screws on the collar and tapped it back down the shaft and re-tightened the grub screws as tight as I could. The shaft was now spaced back off the cabinet and rise/fall was fixed.
I took pics during in case it would be helpful for others.

IMG_20150404_153047.jpgIMG_20150404_153059.jpgIMG_20150404_153927.jpg

[FrankyG]

Thanks Binary, it makes me feel better there's a solution.
And Damienol, I think you've talked me into it (although I did have a typo - it's $2500 now, not $1500). I think your review has sold enough units you should be getting commission

[Damienol]

I just had a quick look to see why the blade height adjustment was so stiff. There was loads of gunk on the gears so I cleaned this off.

Lowering the blade is now very easy. Raising it still takes some effort but that is to be expected given the size of the motor it has to lift

[FrankyG]

For anyone reading this in the next few weeks, Bigger Boyz Toyz seem to be clearing out their Harvey stock - the HW110LGE is currently going for $1999. (Finally a benefit from my procrastination!)

Does anyone have experience buying from them? I haven't heard of anyone buying from there.
I hear nothing but good things about Major Woodworking, but they couldn't come close to matching the price and I really need to save the extra money (about $300 once you factor in different shipping prices).

And a final question. Probably.
Has anyone bought/played with the router wing extension? Is it worthwhile? Does it allow easy height adjustment (or even better, from above the table)?


EDIT: I just made the order. Almost exactly 2 years after this review first convinced me this was the one to get
Ordered through Bigger Boyz Toyz - HW110LGE + router table attachment + stupidly expensive shipping to SA

[Dovetonfletcher]

For anyone reading this in the next few weeks, Bigger Boyz Toyz seem to be clearing out their Harvey stock - the HW110LGE is currently going for $1999. (Finally a benefit from my procrastination!)

FrankyG, How was your experience with Bigger Boyz Toys? I'm thinking about the purchasing the HW110LGE-30 from them also, but was concerned, as there is not much customer feedback out there. Is BBT saw setup & accessories same as what Major Woodworking is selling?

[FrankyG]

FrankyG, How was your experience with Bigger Boyz Toys?

No issues so far. It turned up a couple days early and the delivery guy was helpful (and actually called ahead!). No damage to packaging.

I haven't put it together yet however - I ended up moving sheds so I have a bit of work to go lining and putting in power. Might have a crack at putting it together this weekend if I can reclaim enough space.
It looks as though it's untouched since leaving China, which means no quality control in Aus. It remains to be seen how painful replacement parts will be if required.

In terms of the machine my understanding is it's identical.

[_bk201]

Just thought I'd chime in to this thread, as everyone seems to be talking about their experiences with Harvey tablesaws, I bought the 2HP 10" model(~$1500, Majorwoodworking don't seem to sell this model anymore) less than 2 years ago, and last week the motor started smoking, and now won't get up to full speed, apparently Leeson motors are decent but I just got unlucky, hopefully it's just the capacitor.
Other than that I love the saw.

[WAPANDA]

I have the same model the HB30 and love it and the service i got from Major (Ryan) was magic since it had to be shipped to my local dealer here only for extra 200 so i was very happy. Now i have the same model hb30 as others but my motor is
is different on it and I did not ask for an upgrade but I am very happy about it and confirmed it with a mate who has the 50
mine was shipped with the 3hp why ??? factory error or factory ran out of the 2hp but no complaints. I did have a problem with a knife as it had no markings after I emailed The company direct ( Helps a lot when your wife can read and speak the same lingo), they sent me out 2 new ones apparently the where testing thin kerf knife but gave it up and a few batches where sent out by mistake so if you got or get one don't use it doesn't sit in the seat properly and can catch the blade. It's very easy to tell them apart, there is no markings on them at all and if you put calipers on it from memory its about 1.5mm, I cant give you a pic,as I threw it out so i don't grab it by mistake. And last thing i did not like had nothing to do with the machine itself my local guys dropped it off assemble to me, now most wold say great save you assembling it up but I'm left handed and it was set for right handed I tried to leave it as is but it just drove me up the wall. Also the manual it come with is well so so But if you go to the Grizzly web site the have the exact same models just a few things here and there that are different but nothing that will cause you pain and download their PDF ,manual its a much better detail outlay in it

Almost a year now and still purrs It's great saw

http://cdn0.grizzly.com/manuals/g0715p_m.pdf

http://cdn2.grizzly.com/manuals/g0690_m.pdf

[FrankyG]

A proper update from me...

I eventually got the saw up and running, only to find that the door had been jammed onto the hinges crooked, warping it. After about 4 months of back & forth with Bigger Boyz Toys I eventually got a new door shipped at no charge. No complaints with the end result, but it did take a little while.
I was also having trouble starting the saw - likely voltage drop due to poor planning when installing the power. After having used the saw for a while the belts seem to have softened up a bit, which makes the starting easier (and warmer weather doesn't hurt).

A final tip - I was having a hard time pushing stock through until I got myself an alignment kit and did it properly. I was using an adjustable square to align at first and it just doesn't compare.

The saw is running beautifully now. I still haven't used it enough to justify the purchase, but it handles anything I give it with ease

[Stompa]

Binary01 I read your interesting article about cleaning the worm gear on your Harvey table saw as I have a similar problem with mine, hard to rise and fall. What I would to know is did you put any lubricant on or just leave as is.
Thanks in advance.
Marty

[Binary01]

Hi Marty. I did try cleaning and lubricating the worm gear but to be honest it made no noticeable difference. The big improvement was from pushing the collar back down on the shaft. It was a pain to do but I had no choice as it had seized. I am still a little nervous that the collar will work it's way back up the shaft so I take it easy when raising the blade.

[Dazm]

Hey Superbunny.
Are you still happy with the saw?

I had decided on the Laguna Platinum but after reading a lot of the reviews and the fact that the Harvey is some $1300 cheaper has me reconsidering things.

A lot of people say they're identical but how on earth can they be identical with such a difference in price?

I think this Harvey machine is easily as good as the Laguna equivelent I inspected at the TWWW show and I had a very detailed look around the Laguna as it was my pick at the time. The Hervey I believe is just as well made and I expect it to last me for my days left and I'm taking it to Tasmania next year when I move.


SB

[Alkahestic]

I'm in the same boat as Dazm. I'm tossing up between the Laguna and the Harvey as well. Unless I'm missing them entirely, there are no Harvey dealers in Brisbane, so I can't answer my own question by inspecting one of these saws. I imagine there is bit of mark up for the Laguna brand, but a $1300 markup seems a bit rich.

[Dazm]

Yes I'm still largely undecided. I can get free shipping on the Laguna which closes the gap a bit. I'm also wondering if the dovetail version may be the best way to go and I think only Laguna has the dovetail version.

[Alkahestic]

Can I ask if you've looked at the Sawstop Professional series? I need to get around to Carba-Tec and have an in depth look at them vs the industrial model. I did look at the contractor version a few months ago and they seemed very well built for a contractors saw. But then for the price, they better be.